Thursday, May 17, 2018

'Discount' Sale Hurls Well Enough To Win, Red Sox Power Up Over A's, 6-4

Sale delivers (FenwayNation Photo)

This was not your vintage Chris Sale. Boston's left-handed ace delivered a perplexing start—throwing only 12 of 21 first-pitch strikes, compiling 102 pitches in five innings, and yet striking out nine batters. All in all, it was good enough to give Sale his fourth win of the season in the 6-4 Red Sox win over the A's. Boston's offense was primarily driven by the long-ball—a two-run shot by J.D. Martinez (his 12th) and a game-changing three-run HR by Xander Bogaerts (his 5th). On an unseasonably cold night at the ballpark (53F throughout with a brisk breeze), Sale worked in his signature short-sleeves. Hanley Ramirez continued his clutch hitting—going 1-4 with an RBI and Boston saw multiple hit games from Mookie Betts (2-4, R) and Andrew Benintendi (2-4, R). The win allowed The Carmine Hose to avoid the sweep—which would have been a bit embarrassing considering the talent level of this Oakland ball-club. Now, just one-half game back of The Evil Ones, the Red Sox will face-off four times against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway—Thursday through Sunday. Tonight's game is the make-up of the rained-out Patriots Day game.

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